Some failures are structural --- impossibility of building a community with auto competitive transit access to a
metropolitan region, and impossibility of developing a commercial district capable of attracting the higher
income people that must necessarily occupy the comparatively expensive housing.

Laguna West is frequently cited as a leading new urbanist community. Yet, with the exception of higher density,
Laguna West appears indistinguishable from similar era suburban developments.

Neo-Traditional Rating: 1.33 (Substantially fails to achieve neo-traditional ideals) on a scale of 1
to 5.

Pictures below table.

EVALUATION OF PLAN BASED UPON NEO-TRADITIONAL OBJECTIVES

Criteria

Objective

Case

Rating

Walkable
Community

Stores within walking
distance (1/4 mile) of all
residences.

Few houses within walking distance of stores.

1

Transit Oriented
Development

Automobile competitive transit service
providing service to
entire urban area

Population density estimated at under 5,600 per square mile
(56
percent of the 12,000 objective).

2

Impact on
Suburbanization

Infill -- does not
contribute to
suburbanization

Greenfield --- contributes to
suburbanization

1

Balance of jobs and
residences

Community provides a
balance of jobs and
residences, reducing the necessity to commute by automobile

Little employment in the community. Employees in these establishments are not likely
to have the income to live within the community.

1

Market oriented
development

No subsidies or tax breaks

Unknown

---

Composite Rating

1.33

Rating System:

5: Substantially Exceeds Objective

4: Exceeds Objective

3: Meets Objective

2: Fails to Meet Objective

1: Substantially Fails to Meet Objective

Nothing in this review is meant to suggest that any neo-traditional development is not a desirable community.
Most are well designed and attractive. To the extent that any such development fails to achieve
neo-traditional (new urbanist) objectives is more than likely a reflection that the objectives themselves are
impractical and largely unachievable in an environment that depends upon consumer choice in a free market.